OTL Men's Open winners put on rally caps

Jeff Briggs of the team

Jeff Briggs of the team

Jeff Briggs of the team

Glae Thien, Special to the U-T

After Jeff Briggs made a running catch for the final out, he kept a firm grip on the ball while swarmed by fans congratulating him on winning another title in the 59th annual World Championship Over-The-Line Tournament.

His

Tiewraps.com team bounced back from a setback in the first of two finals games and rallied from a 19-run deficit in the deciding contest to top Valley Farms Market 26-25 for the Men’s Open crown in the double-elimination event at Fiesta Island on Sunday.

“I don’t want to let go (of the ball),” said Briggs, who claimed his second championship in three years. “What a comeback.”

The victory also meant a repeat title for David “Bubba” Leyba and the first for Jeff Albritton. In a scramble of players from recent finals, Briggs opposed his 2010 title teammates Corey Stenovec and Mike Ham, who were joined by Sean Matson from last year’s champion. Stenovec was denied his bid to keep the two Open championships in the family.

Earlier, his wife, Jessica Casillas, teamed for the first time here with her mother, Mary Ann Casillas, and sister, Taryin Casillas, to capture the women’s crown on the Law Offices of Mike Wright squad with an unbeaten tourney run.

Briggs, 47, added to his recent resurgence. Two years ago, he won his first outright Open title to go with a co-championship in 2003 and a 1996 crown in the Century Division (combined ages 100 or more).

“This is sheer exuberance,” said Briggs, a member of the host club, who learned the game from his father, Pat, a four-time champion. “People play this seriously. Second place is just not OK.”

In the deciding game,

Tiewraps.com fell behind 24-5 in the top of the second inning but rebounded to take a 26-24 lead into the fourth.

“We lived in the moment,” Albritton said. “We didn’t focus on the score, but what was next. This was the greatest game of my life, bar none.”

Leyba made three sharp catches on the first line of defense over the final two innings to help secure the victory.

“We dropped some balls earlier in the game, but we just caught them when it mattered,” said Lebya, who previously teamed with Briggs on occasion. “It’s awesome (to win).”

Mary Ann Casillas won her seventh title and first since 2007, when Taryin also played on the team. Finally, this year presented the opportunity for Jessica to join them.

“I can’t even explain how nice it is (to combine for the championship),” said Mary Ann, 56, who took her first crown in 1985. “It’s been a dream of mine.”

The Casillas ladies won the title with a 13-8 triumph over returning finalist Beachcomber with Lisa McGowan, Tess Franklin and Jenny Mays.

When Mary Ann Casillas claimed her first title, she was then expecting Taryin, now 26. This time, Jessica, 30, was likewise playing while pregnant.

“My mom got to win with her two daughters and a granddaughter,” said Jessica, who is due to give birth on Dec. 12. “We definitely worked well together as a team and family.”

Third place went to three-time defending champion Team Hayes consisting of sisters Stefanie Olow and Martha Farmer with Marisa Tirri.